- A top positive reinforcement fear: what if I create a Cookie Monster??
An experienced, savvy horse person recently told me that she had been thinking about trying positive reinforcement, but she was afraid of turning her horse into a Cookie Monster. We all know the kind: nosing in every pocket, never leaving you alone, shoving you out of the way to go for a carrot on the other side of the barn.
What if I told you that you can avoid creating a Cookie Monster, and you can actively improve your horse's manners around food by using positive reinforcement?
In this episode I address this common fear, and share why teaching food manners is a great introduction to positive reinforcement training for you and your horse.
Mentioned resources:
Shawna Karrasch Equine Clicker Training 101 Podcast:
Adele Shaw of The Willing Equine, article on How to Get Started
https://www.thewillingequine.com/post/2017/01/07/Clicker-Training-How-To-Get-Started
34m - Sep 29, 2026 - The crazy experience that started my equine positive reinforcement journey
I had heard of positive reinforcement training, but I thought it was just for teaching horses fun tricks. I didn't see how it could be used for the practical, every day horse training I was interested in. Then, a horrible injury changed everything. I saw the results that Positive Reinforcement gave me, and I had to give it a try.
28m - Sep 22, 2026 - What actually IS positive reinforcement training, anyway?
Words are important, and labels matter. In the Positive Rider Podcast, I talk about using Positive Reinforcement Training with my horses. What exactly do I mean by that? And why does it matter? Spoiler: it's a lot more than just giving my horse cookies... even though I do love to give my horses cookies!
23m - Sep 15, 2026 - The Positive Reinforcement Support I Wish I'd Had
My experience learning to train my horse using positive reinforcement has been life changing. But it was a lot harder than it needed to be. I have wanted to share my experience for a long time, but I wasn't sure how to, as I'm not a professional trainer. Then I had the idea for the Positive Rider Podcast: sharing my experiences and journey as a DIY Amateur, and talking about all of the challenging mental and emotional shifts that come with it.
Please reach out to me and Cupcake on Instagram @ClickWithColor, we'd love to hear from you!
8m - Sep 7, 2026
